Fumo Chitai 1.05

aka The Waste Land

Episode 5

President Daimon convinces Iki not to resign from Kinki Trading. Iki rises through the ranks at Kinki and becomes the director of Corporate Administration. Kinki's rivalry with Tokyo Trading flares up once again in 1967 as the possibility of war emerges between Israel and the Arab countries that surround it.

Iki gives his daughter Naoko a hard time for dating the daughter of his business rival, Samejima. Iki thinks he sees Koide on the street but he is unable to confirm that it was indeed Koike. Iki's fast rise within Kinki and the advice he gives to Daimon makes him some enemies including Satoi, his former boss.

Beniko, runs into Iki while he is having dinner with Chisato Akitsu. Beniko, who is now married to Ganchen Huang a powerful businessman in Southeast Asia, refers to Chisato as Iki's girlfriend. Iki balks at Beniko's lack of manners but Chisato brushes off Beniko's words. Chisato tells Iki about brother whom she fears has tuberculosis and refuses to have it treated. Iki promises to visit her brother with her the next time he is in Osaka.

Kinki contacts Nitto Trading, a company that does business in Israel, in the hopes of getting a better insight into the possibilities of war in the Middle East. One of Iki's subordinates contacts Beniko's husband also in the interests of gaining a better understanding of the situation in the Middle East.

War breaks out in the Middle East. Kinki Trading and Tokyo Trading both scramble to get on top of the situation which will likely cut off the trade route through the Suez Canal.

Thoughts

I get the impression that Chisato's feelings for Iki run deeper than his feelings for her. I've got a feeling that his relationship with her, as innocent as it may seem, is going to get him in trouble. 

This was another good episode. It is laying the groundwork for yet another series of conflicts. I imagine that the current situation won't be resolved immediately but probably won't take place over more than another 3 episode.